UK Roundup

Premier League players to face immediate bans under new system

LONDON (Reuters) -- English premier league players will face immediate bans with limited rights of appeal for on-field offences in the 2004-05 season.

The Football Association confirmed on Tuesday the introduction of a fast-track disciplinary system for the new season following heavy criticism that its previous procedures were too slow and became bogged down in legal procedure.

Players sent off by the referee will be immediately suspended if they do not appeal, bringing the FA into line with the regulations of world body FIFA.

Under the old system, suspensions came into effect only two weeks after the match.

The new code, which will be reviewed at the end of the season, was announced by former player Brendon Batson who led the review of the system in consultation with players, managers and the game's administrators.

"The main objective was to improve the speed and clarity but not at the expense of fairness," said Batson.

The FA was criticised last season when a case involving Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, concerning an incident which took place at the end of the previous season when he was a West Ham player, took almost eight months to resolve.

FRIVOLOUS CLAIMS

Players can appeal against a suspension only on the grounds of wrongful dismissal or mistaken identity.

If they do so, the appeal will be dealt with within five workings days of the fixture, the FA said, during which time the player will still be able to play.

Batson warned that players who launched "frivolous" claims of wrongful dismissal in order to have their bans delayed risked having the suspensions increased.

In another significant move, charges relating to sending-off offences such as spitting or violent conduct that were missed by the referee but caught on video will now be issued within two days.

If the player denies the charge, a disciplinary commission will hear the case within a week. Neither the FA nor the players will be entitled to legal representation at such a hearing.

"It gives the opportunity for football to reclaim football," said Batson. "One of the delays in the past has been due to the involvement of lawyers, sometimes unnecessarily so."

An appeal against a punishment based on video evidence will only be permitted if the ban is for more than three matches and can only relate to the portion of the ban over three matches.

For offences outside the jurisdiction of match officials, such as incidents after the final whistle, charges will be issued within two days.

Last season the FA took over two months to deal with an ugly fracas between Arsenal and Manchester United players at Old Trafford after the final whistle at a match in September.

In another change, bans that follow an accumulation of yellow cards will now come into effect seven days after the last card instead of the usual 14.

Rebrov joins West Ham

LONDON (AP) -- Ukrainian striker Sergei Rebrov has joined West Ham on a free transfer from Tottenham, the division one club said Tuesday.

The 30-year-old passed a medical after training with the Hammers, and the move was completed when he was granted a work permit later Tuesday.

Rebrov is expected to make his debut against Anderlecht in a friendly this Saturday.

"I am obviously delighted to be here and I have high expectations of getting the team back to the Premiership," he told the official club Web site.

Rebrov joined Spurs in an 11-million-pound (US$20.2 million) transfer from Dynamo Kiev four years ago. But he proved a disappointment at White Hart Lane, scoring just 10 league goals in four years.

Rebrov spent last season on loan at Turkish side Fenerbahce. He was released by Spurs this summer and was invited to take part in preseason training by Hammers manager Alan Pardew.

"When Sergei became a free agent I thought with his reputation, record and skill we would be foolish not to have a look at him," Pardew said.

"It quickly became apparent that he had a feel for this club and would be a great asset to the squad," he added. "He has looked very sharp and I know he can certainly score goals and create them."

Rebrov is expected to make his West Ham debut in a friendly against Anderlecht on Saturday.

He's the second former Tottenham player to join West Ham in two weeks, following the arrival of 38-year-old Teddy Sheringham at Upton Park.

Josemi agrees terms with Liverpool

LONDON (Reuters) -- Spanish utility defender Josemi has agreed personal terms with Liverpool, the English premier league club said on Tuesday.

Liverpool's official website said the deal to sign the Malaga player was now subject to a medical. Liverpool will pay Malaga a fee of two million pounds ($3.68 million), according to British media reports.

"We are close to signing Josemi," Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said on the Liverpool website. "He is an aggressive player and good in defence. He will be strong and is a right-sided player.

"I know this player. He is good in the air and can make this team stronger."

Josemi, 24, would be Spaniard Benitez's first signing since becoming Liverpool manager on June 16 and the former Valencia coach hinted he wanted to sign more players.

"For me, it is important that we have good players and it does not matter what nationality they are," he added.

"Perhaps I know the Spanish market better than others, but we have good scouts all around the world so, if good players become available, then we will sign them.

"We needed forwards and a central defender so now I am not nervous. I want to work with the team and I will talk with scouts and staff and decide."

Liverpool are currently on a pre-season tour of the United States.

Gascoigne to join Boston United as player-coach

LONDON (Reuters) -- Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne is joining Boston United as player-coach, the club in the fourth division of English football said on their website on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old former Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Glasgow Rangers, Middlesbrough and Everton player quit first division Burnley in 2002.

"Boston United and Paul Gascoigne are pleased to announce that they have agreed in principle to Paul Gascoigne joining Boston United in a player-coaching capacity," a club statement said.

Boston are planning a press conference to officially unveil Gascoigne on Friday.

Gascoigne, who shot to international fame at the 1990 World Cup in Italy and won 57 international caps, has battled against alcoholism and tried to resurrect his playing career in China last year.

Newcastle confirms deal for Butt transfer

NEWCASTLE, England (AP) -- Newcastle confirmed Tuesday it has reached a deal with Manchester United for the transfer of midfielder Nicky Butt.

The 29-year-old England international, who has been at Man Utd for 13 years, left the Red Devils' U.S. tour after the two clubs agreed to terms.

Butt is due to arrive at Newcastle in the next 24 hours to undergo medical checks and discuss contract terms. The transfer fee hasn't been disclosed.

"Newcastle United have agreed terms for the transfer of Nicky Butt from Manchester United pending a medical and personal terms," a club statement said.

Manchester United announced Monday that the two sides had reached terms on Butt's transfer.

Butt made the last of his 387 appearances for United as a late substitute in the FA Cup final win over Millwall at the Millennium Stadium in May, his second triumph in the competition. He won six Premier League titles and one Champions Cup.

Butt is expected to pass a medical check after overcoming the knee injury which ended his hopes of playing in the Euro 2004 championship.

Last week, Newcastle signed Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert from FC Barcelona.

The Magpies moved for Butt after selling Gary Speed to Bolton and loaning Hugo Viana to Sporting Lisbon.

Butt is considered the ideal replacement for 34-year-old Speed, who had been the heart of manager Bobby Robson's midfield.

Colombian Angel likely out of Aston Villa opener

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -- Colombian international striker Juan Pablo Angel will "almost certainly" miss Aston Villa's season opener as he continues to recover from knee surgery, the club said.

A statement on the team's Web site said Angel, Villa's leading scorer in 2003-04, was due to fly back to England on Tuesday, leaving preseason training in Sweden a day early.

"We had a heavy training session (Monday) evening, and Juan was unable to complete the session," manager David O'Leary said. "So he'll fly back (Tuesday) to see our surgeon and assess the problem."

Angel had right-knee surgery earlier this summer, although O'Leary didn't think a second operation was required.

He scored 16 goals last season as Villa finished a surprising sixth.

"Our physios don't think he needs another operation, but he might as well return to England to continue his recovery," O'Leary said. "If he does need surgery, he'll have that done straightaway, but I don't think he does."

The 28-year-old played 45 minutes against Jonkopings in a friendly Saturday, raising hopes he would be ready for Southampton on Aug. 14.

"I'd say now that he'll miss the Southampton game, and that is clearly frustrating him," O'Leary said. "It's a blow for us, too, but he's just not right yet."

O'Leary, who repeatedly said last year he had a small squad, hoped to sign more players before the season starts.

"Juan Pablo or no Juan Pablo, I've been looking for people," he said. "I'm not frustrated by it, but I know we need to bring people in."

Senegal's Diop signs four-year deal with Fulham

LONDON (Reuters) -- Senegalese midfielder Pape Bouba Diop, who famously scored his country's winner against France at the 2002 World Cup, joined Fulham from Lens on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee on Tuesday.

Diop, 26, had been training with Fulham's premier league rivals Portsmouth, who could not match the London club's offer.

Fulham had switched their search for a midfielder to Diop after Portsmouth's Senegal midfielder Amdy Faye, who was poised to move to Craven Cottage, failed a medical because of a knee problem.

Fulham manager Chris Coleman, who had previously signed Claus Jensen from Charlton, Andrew Cole from Blackburn, Thomas Radzinski from Everton and Billy McKinlay from Leicester during the close season, said he was delighted to sign Diop.

He told the club's website: "I have already said how important these last few weeks have been to the club in terms of signings. I'm more than delighted to have been able to secure the services of some quality players."

Diop, a 6ft 3ins tall (1.91 metres) defensive midfielder, joined Lens in January 2002 and made 25 league appearances for them last season, scoring three times. He has also played for Grasshoppers Zurich in Switzerland.

He made international headlines in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup finals when he scored the only goal of the game after 30 minutes, giving Senegal a shock 1-0 win over world champions France.

France never recovered from that setback and were eliminated at the end of the group stage. Senegal reached the quarter-finals where they were beaten by Turkey.

Wolves fine Senegal striker Camara

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AP) -- Wolves striker Henri Camara was fined two-weeks' wages for failing to show up to preseason training July 12, the division-one club said Tuesday.

The Senegal international, who handed in a transfer request after the team was relegated in May, also missed a preseason tour of Norway. He returned for a disciplinary hearing last week and turned up for training Monday.

"Henri's absence from work, without good reason, is a fundamental breach of contract, and he has been fined the maximum amount for such a first-time offense," club secretary Richard Skirrow told Wolves' Web site.

"We have been at pains to point out to Henri that this fine should not be seen as a further episode in a battle with him. We are pleased that he returned to training."

Camara scored seven goals in 2003-04.

Wenger praises Overmars

LONDON (AP) -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was "really sad" that former Gunners star Marc Overmars had to retire because of a persistent knee injury.

The 31-year-old Dutch international midfielder, who spent the last four years with Barcelona, announced his decision to quit the game Monday. Overmars won the European Cup with Ajax in 1995.

"Marc showed what a great player he was, consistently producing top quality performances at the highest level of the game during his time with Ajax, Arsenal, Barcelona and with his national team, Holland," Wenger said on Arsenal's Web site.

The speedy winger scored 41 goals in 142 appearances with Arsenal, helping the team win the double -- the league and FA Cup -- in 1998.

"Marc was a very important player for us during his time at the club, and of course, he will never be forgotten as a result of his contribution to our double," Wenger said.

"From everyone at Arsenal, we wish Marc well for the future."

Overmars, who played in two World Cups, made 86 appearances for the Netherlands.

Baros would have left Reds if not for new manager

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) -- Czech forward Milan Baros, who led Euro 2004 in scoring, said he would have left Liverpool if Frenchman Gerard Houllier hadn't been replaced as manager.

Baros wasn't a first-team regular under Houllier last season, although he netted five times for the Czech Republic at the European Championships in Portugal.

Houllier was replaced by Spaniard Rafael Benitez earlier this summer.

"I wanted to leave Liverpool after last season, but now things have happened and because there is a new manager, there is still time for me here," he told Liverpool's Web site Tuesday.

Baros, linked with Real Madrid following Euro 2004, still faces a battle to crack the starting lineup. Liverpool has England star Michael Owen and signed French international Djibril Cisse in the offseason.

"I will fight for my place now," he said. "Maybe I will stay, or maybe I will go, but I want to fight to get into the team.

"I hope I can play more regularly and think it's possible because Benitez is here."

Baros missed six months of 2003-04 with a broken ankle.

Neville knows he has to keep performing

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Manchester United defender Gary Neville said signing a new contract doesn't guarantee playing time.

Neville and brother Phil Neville, both England internationals, signed five-year deals earlier this week.

"Obviously it's a great honor," Gary Neville told the club's Web site Tuesday. "But the one thing that doesn't change, no matter how many years you have on the contract, if you don't perform, you will be out. That is the main thing on my mind."

The 29-year-old made his United debut in 1992 and became a regular two years later.

Tottenham denies Reid bid

LONDON (AP) -- Tottenham has denied making a second bid for Nottingham Forest midfielder Andy Reid.

On Monday, Forest chief executive Mark Arthur said Spurs made an offer of 3 million pounds ($US5.5 million), seven months after an initial bid of 5 million pounds ($US9.2 million) was refused.

"Regarding comments that we have made an offer for Andy Reid, he is a player we admire, but we have not made an offer for him," Tottenham said on its Web site.

Reid scored 13 goals for the division one club last season.

Both the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.